Spacer bar

ABSTRACT

A spacer bar for laterally spacing roof trusses, comprising: an elongated tube having a bottom surface and opposite first and second ends; first and second rectangular jaws respectively disposed proximate to the first and second opposite ends, the first and second rectangular jaws extend at a normal angle from the bottom surface, the first rectangular jaw comprises first and second rigid arms, the second rectangular jaw comprises third and fourth rigid arms; and first, second, third and fourth planar triangular shaped reinforcing members, the first and second planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between the first and second rigid arms and the bottom surface of the elongated tube, and the third and fourth planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between the third and fourth rigid arms and the bottom surface of the elongated tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/992,253 (filed Dec. 4, 2007), 61/014,750 (filed Dec. 19, 2007) and 61/016,810 (filed Dec. 27, 2007). The entire contents of 60/992,253 (filed Dec. 4, 2007), 61/014,750 (filed Dec. 19, 2007) and 61/016,810 (filed Dec. 27, 2007) are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to devices for aiding construction workers erect trusses. More specifically, the invention is a spacer bar for spacing out and holding up trusses such as light weight trusses or wooden trusses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,010, structural trusses are used for the fabrication of buildings in the construction industry. A truss is typically made up of upper and lower chords with web angled members therebetween to create an essentially planar structure. When added to a building structure, trusses of metal or wooden construction are typically set in a parallel spaced apart relationship. There are various types of trusses such as, but not limited to, roof trusses that are set up in a parallel spaced apart relationship and depending on the type of roof truss, are used to support flat or non-flat roofs of buildings.

Setting up trusses is both a dangerous and time consuming task. The trusses must be set up a certain distance apart in a parallel arrangement. Given the planar like construction of trusses and their tendency to fall over it is not surprising that setting up roof trusses in a properly spaced apart parallel configuration is time consuming and poses accident hazards for construction workers.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus or device that enables construction workers to safely space apart trusses in a timely and efficient manner while reducing the risk of injury to construction workers.

SUMMARY

A spacer bar for laterally spacing roof trusses, comprising: an elongated tube having a bottom surface and opposite first and second ends; first and second rectangular jaws respectively disposed proximate to the first and second opposite ends, the first and second rectangular jaws extend at a normal angle from the bottom surface, the first rectangular jaw comprises first and second rigid arms, the second rectangular jaw comprises third and fourth rigid arms; and first, second, third and fourth planar triangular shaped reinforcing members, the first and second planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between the first and second rigid arms and the bottom surface of the elongated tube, and the third and fourth planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between the third and fourth rigid arms and the bottom surface of the elongated tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a spacer bar according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A shows the spacer bar shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B shows the spacer bar shown in FIG. 1A, but rotated 180° in the horizontal plane.

FIG. 1C shows a spacer bar with triangular shaped reinforcing members removed.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of the spacer bar shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show side and end-on views of the spacer bar shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show top and bottom planar views of the spacer bar shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an environmental perspective view of a plurality of spacer bars of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an apparatus to aid fast and safe erection of trusses on building construction sites. More specifically, the invention is a spacer bar for temporary installation between corresponding chords and/or web angle members of adjacent trusses such as, but not limited to, roof trusses. The spacer bar of the present invention is denoted generally by the numeric label “100”.

The spacer bar 100 comprises an elongated tube 120 having a square or rectangular cross-section and further comprising a bottom surface 130. The elongated tube 120 defines first and second opposite ends 140 and 160, respectively. Located proximate to the first and second opposite ends 140 and 160 are first and second rectangular jaws 180 and 200, which extend at a normal angle from the bottom surface 130. First and second rectangular jaws 180 and 200 are designed to reversibly accommodate the profile of a corresponding chord members CM or interior truss web members ITWM of adjacent trusses T or lower truss chord member LTCM (see FIG. 7). The term “reversibly accommodate” is intended to mean that the jaws 180 and 200 can be affixed to and removed from chord members CM or interior truss web members ITWM or lower truss chord member LTCM of adjacent trusses T thus enabling spacer bar 100 to be used repeatedly as temporary bracing for temporarily bracing together strings of adjacent trusses such as light weight trusses, e.g., used in the construction of roofs.

First jaw 180 comprises first and second rigid arms 220 and 240, respectively. The first and second rigid arms 220 and 240 are fixed to and extend at a normal angle from bottom surface 130 of elongated tube 120. The rigid arms 220 and 240 respectfully define first and second interior confronting surfaces 260 and 280. The interior confronting surfaces 260 and 280 are parallel with respect to each other and are positioned normal to the longitudinal axis LA of elongated tube 120. The interior confronting surfaces 260 and 280 of arms 220 and 240 are spaced a sufficient distance apart just enough to accommodate the thickness of a truss chord or truss angled web member.

Second jaw 200 comprises third and fourth rigid arms 300 and 320, respectively. The third and fourth rigid arms 300 and 320 are fixed to and extend at a normal angle from bottom surface 130 of elongated tube 120. The rigid arms 300 and 320 respectfully define third and fourth interior confronting surfaces 340 and 360. The interior confronting surfaces 340 and 360 are parallel with respect to each other and are positioned normal to the longitudinal axis LA of elongated tube 120. The interior confronting surfaces 340 and 360 of arms 300 and 320 are spaced a sufficient distance apart just enough to accommodate the thickness of a truss chord or truss angled web member.

The distance between first and second jaws 180 and 200 is sufficient to span the desired distance between two adjacent chord members CM or two adjacent internal truss web members ITWM. More specifically, the distance between first and second jaws 180 and 200 is chosen to suit the desired spacing between trusses such as light weight trusses. For example, one, two, three or four feet or any desired metric distance used in foreign (non-U.S.) countries for spacing out trusses such as light-weight roof trusses.

Generally planar triangular shaped reinforcing members extend from bottom surface 130 and are affixed to and located either side of jaws 180 and 200 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. First 400 and second 420 generally planar triangular shaped reinforcing members are located on either side of jaw 180, whereas third 460 and forth 480 generally planar triangular shaped reinforcing members are located on either side of jaw 200 (see FIGS. 1A and 2).

More specifically, first 400 and second 420 generally planar triangular shaped reinforcing members respectively extend between bottom surface 130 and first and second outward facing surfaces 265 and 285 of first and second rigid arms 220 and 240. The first and second outward facing surfaces 265 and 285 are respectively opposite and facing away from first and second interior confronting surfaces 260 and 280 (see FIG. 1C in which reinforcing members 400, 420, 460 and 480 have been removed to illustrate surfaces 265, 285, 345 and 365).

Third 460 and fourth 480 generally planar triangular shaped reinforcing members respectively extend between bottom surface 130 and third and fourth outward facing surfaces 345 and 365 of third and fourth rigid arms 300 and 320, respectively. The third and fourth outward facing surfaces 345 and 365 are respectively opposite and facing away from third and fourth interior confronting surfaces 340 and 360 (see FIG. 1C in which reinforcing members 400, 420, 460 and 480 have been removed to illustrate surfaces 265, 285, 345 and 365).

The triangular shaped reinforcing members 400, 420, 460, 480 provide the dual purpose of stiffening elongated tube 120 while ensuring that the first and second jaws 180 and 200 resist distortion under load, and more specifically that the arms of the first and second jaws 180 and 200 resist distortion under load.

During ordinary use, the spacer bar 100 is tapped or otherwise installed onto chord members CM or interior truss web members ITWM of adjacent trusses; see FIG. 7, which shows a plurality of spacer bars connected between chord members of adjacent trusses T. The spacer bars of the present invention are typically tapped off when no longer required. Light taps from a hammer or similar hand-held tool can be used to tap the spacer bar jaws on and off trusses. A plurality of spacer bars can be supplied and sold as a cross-bracing kit for laterally spacing roof trusses.

In normal use the jaws 180 and 200 are typically tapped onto corresponding chords CM or interior truss web members ITWM of adjacent trusses. In this fashion strings of adjacent trusses are correctly spaced out and maintained in their correct vertical positions. Permanent bracing can then be applied between the trusses and the spacer bars 100 removed; once removed the spacer bars 100 can be used repeatedly on further truss construction projects.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. 

1. A spacer bar for laterally spacing roof trusses, comprising: an elongated tube having a bottom surface and opposite first and second ends; first and second rectangular jaws respectively disposed proximate to said first and second opposite ends, said first and second rectangular jaws extend at a normal angle from said bottom surface, said first rectangular jaw comprises first and second rigid arms, said second rectangular jaw comprises third and fourth rigid arms; and first, second, third and fourth planar triangular shaped reinforcing members, said first and second planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between said first and second rigid arms and said bottom surface of said elongated tube, and said third and fourth planar triangular reinforcing members respectively extend between said third and fourth rigid arms and said bottom surface of said elongated tube.
 2. The spacer bar according to claim 1, wherein said elongated tube has a square cross-section shape.
 3. The spacer bar according to claim 1, wherein said elongated tube has a rectangular cross-section shape. 